Hi - Mom, Dad, 13 & 14 year old - we like to snorkel and I'm looking for somewhere to go as a surprise birthday present for my husband.
Flying from NY, I'm wondering if we should fly to mainland Honduras and then ferry to Roatan.
We're not into night life, would just like to relax and listen and watch the water at night - do the beach and snorkeling thing during the day. I see some people talk about Sandy Bay - is it better to stay at Sandy Bay or the West End? Lands End the place to stay?
Thanks for any and all help - Dorie

We went to Roatan a couple of years ago adn really enjoyed it. We stayed in a small hotel in West End - lots of good restaurants in town, so that was a good choice for us. West Bay has a fabulous beach, so we took the water taxi over there a few times - the snorkelling was wonderful.

When are you planning to go? We are planning on a short trip in November, but have decided not to go to Roatan - apparently it's the wettest time of the year (historically). Disappointing!

We have charter flights from Toronto direct to Roatan so it was an easy place for us to get to. Not sure how long a trip it is to take a ferry from the mainland.

Sandy Bay is mostly a residential area - there may be a restaurant or 2 cropped up since we stayed there, but not much. It's a great island, beautiful, lots to do. Most people stay in West End (restaurants, shops, sand street, lots of lodging options, 5 minute water or road taxi to West Bay or Sandy Bay where there's access to good hiking. West Bay has, in general, higher End lodging, gorgeous beach, snorkeling from shore. Rental homes and condos all over the place. Maybe try a search on tripadvisor.com to see what strikes your fancy or check out http://www.roatanet.com/listing/roat...ls-resorts.php

Keep us posted!

I'd agree with flying straight in. Haven't stayed there in several years but I like the Sandy Bay area.

I like the Sandy Bay area, too - quiet and off the track a bit. We rented a little place, shopped in Coxen Hole or West End, and prepared most of our own meals and it was perfect for us. If you're wanting a range of lodging and to be near restaurants you'll be hailing a lot of cabs, is all. Happy trails!

We drive all of the time - looking to ditch that for a week. If we rented (looking at something in Lighthouse Estate - with a 5 min walk to West Bay Beach - sound good???) would we be able to relax and avoid the car? I'd rent for the week anyway - stop for groceries on the way from the airport...
But, could we snorkel and swim and just enjoy the beach without getting in a car except for the time we go out to eat or walk around town? How far to the West End?
Honestly, I never even heard of Roatan until I began researching this surprise birthday present trip and I'm excited, but unsure.
Thanks for all of your help folks!

It's a great place. West End is 5 minutes away by water taxi. You can snorkel/swim/beach at West Bay. It will get busy on cruise ship days so you might want to plan other activities on those days. Keep us posted!

How about safety issues? I'm reading more and more about safety concerns... and bugs. Should I worry about either?
Thanks -

I wouldn't venture down the beach at night, leave your wallet sticking out of a pocket, or get really drunk and go home with someone you don't know, but I've avoided those scenarios and felt safe there. We've read that the sand flies can be bad on Roatán but we didn't have a problem with them - steady breezes kept them away, I think. Mosquitoes haven't bothered us but I take good repellent just in case.

Thanks so much, hopefulist! Believe it or not I'm on to thinking Italy now. I have so many ideas floating around I'm keeping the Roatan idea alive but I'm not sure.
Thanks again -

I'm back to Roatan - just can't leave the idea of the beauty of this island and the reef. Anthony's Key is more than I want to spend. Are there other resorts worth staying at (keep in mind that we snorkel and do not dive) or should I go with my first instinct, and what always works for us, and rent a house?

Originally from Ontario, Canada, I have lived full-time on Roatan for close to three years now. I won't suggest any particular accommodations...but I highly recommend coming here.

Check out http://roatanvortex.com for lots of stories on what day-to-day life is like on the amazing Island of Roatan. Whether you come for a week or a lifetime, you won't be disappointed.

Can you tell me, Roatan Vortex, if you think it's doable to stay about halfway between the West End and West Bay without a car? We want to snorkel - will go to the West End a couple of times to eat out and sight see, but not too often.
I've gone back and forth between a trip to Italy, which I've ditched for warmer weather, and Belize, which I'm still considering... Roatan is calling, though. I am looking into places to rent. I'm not really interested in a resort, even an AI. I like to "play house" on vacation and cook with the local foods. DOes this sound like a good plan on Roatan?
Thanks for your help -

Doried, we've been researching Roatan. You might want to look at West Bay Village. There are various houses to rent. You can check Trip Advisor for reviews of different places. Definitely check the cruise ship schedules, and plan accordingly.

Doried, Finding a place to live like a local between West End and West Bay may be tough, but the up side is it is pretty easy to get between the two without a car. During daylight hours you can take a water taxi back and forth or even walk the beach (about twenty minutes.) At night your only option is car taxis, always plentiful during the day (they will really gouge you on cruise ship days)and difficult to get one at night out of the West Bay area.

Personally I know of one place in West End that offers efficiency type accommodation and they are away from the bustle of West End night life. www.cocolobo.com Bonnie and Ron are the managers, really good people.

To really experience the Island. I suggest Sundancer (where I live)in Sandy Bay . You would have to take a taxi into West End, but people staying here manage fine doing that. The cabanas are very Island, full kitchens, the grounds are lush and tropical, there is a good size pool and one of the best docks on the Caribbean ocean, on the property with fantastic snorkeling and sunsets.

The cabanas at Sundancer are each privately owned so you would be staying in a community not a resort. Your pick-up at the airport even includes a stop at the grocery store in Coxen Hole so you can stock up.

Hope this helps,
roatanvortex aka Genny

http://roatanvortex.com/2010/02/26/i...hem-seahorses/
http://roatancabana.com/
http://sundancercabanas.com/